'We're not doing enough'

Mayor Bernero budgets for a cold-case detective

Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero announced
Monday that he wants to create a new position in the Lansing Police
Department dedicated to unsolved homicides. He cited a March 18 City
Pulse cover story as his inspiration, which you can read here.

The story, “Buried Cases: Lansing Police lack organization
with unsolved homicides,” detailed how City Pulse set out to do a story
on Lansing cold cases. It was written by Rich Tupica and Steve Miller.

The original intent of the article was to publicize unsolved homicides in order to assist the Police Department. But when police officials said they did not have a list, the story shifted to why not.

“After reading
your article and talking to the chief and the captains, I concluded
that we’re not doing enough,” Bernero said Monday. “We need to do more
to get to the bottom of these cases and give the families hope.”

Bernero’s recommendation is part of his fiscal year 2014
budget, which he presented to the City Council on Monday night. The
Council has until May 20 to adopt the budget, which takes effect July 1.